FAQs, User manual & Warranty

WHAT SHOULD I PREPARE BEFORE HOT TUB DELIVERY?

The most important thing is to set a foundation for your Hot Tub. The foundation for hot tub has to be even and load-bearing. The easy way to place a hot tub is a good layer of stone chip and a few wooden logs put under. The more solid foundation is a platform made of wood or cast concrete. Avoid placing the hot tub directly on grass or soft ground. The vegetation from under the tub will prevent the underfloor from breathing, will keep moisture and promote faster rotting.

WHAT ARE THE SAFETY REQUIREMENTS THAT I SHOULD BE AWARE OF?

Do not place the hot tub too close to buildings or other flammable structures to avoid the risk of fire.

Ensure children's safety in the tub and nearby. Keep the tub closed with lid when not in use. Bear in mind slippery at freezing temperatures.

Do not use the tub alone. Do not overheat the water in the tub. The recommended water temperature in hot tub is 37°- 40°C. Temperature should be lower for children and people with heart problems.

Wear protective gloves when operating a heater. Some parts might be hot during operation. Edges of the chimney and the heater might be sharp.

WHAT IS THE HEATING TIME FOR HOT TUB?

Normal heating time for hot tub is about 2 - 2.5 hours with external log burner. Hot tub with integrated wood burner takes approximately 1.5 - 2 hours to heat up. The actual heating time strongly depends on weather conditions, temperature of water, quality of firewood, proper and timely firing etc. To reduce the heating time, hot tub should be covered with a lid to keep the heat evaporation as low as possible. The water is layered when it heats up, and it has to be mixed so that the actual temperature could be found.

WHAT SHOULD I KNOW ABOUT LOG BURNER?

To ensure fast heating use only a good quality and dry wood, preferably in smaller pieces. The use of low quality wood, or wood in large pieces may double the heating time. You can adjust the intense of wood burning by letting more air into the heater, or reducing the incoming air. Maintain the fire in the stove so that the wood will burn properly. If fire is too small, the heating time becomes remarkably longer. If fire is too strong, that may increase the risk of damage or accident.

Grade 430. This type of stainless steel comes a standard and is the most popular choice as most people do not treat the water and is much cheaper then other types of stainless steel. If you intend to use chlorine or bromine, sea salts or any other water treatments which affect pH, you need to upgrade to 316 type. No warranty/replacement will be provided if any issues occur with your heater and the manufacturer identifies the corrosion.

Grade 316. Stainless steel is also non magnetic. This stainless steel has the best corrosion resistant properties. Can be used with salt water and little bit chlorine or bromine.

HOW DO I CLEAN MY HOT TUB?

Clean the hot tub before use. Wash it carefully with soap and a soft fabric or sponge, and rinse with fresh water after. Do not use any abrasive material for cleaning. Take shower before bathing in the hot tub.

The water in the tub is good only for 2-3 days depending on weather and overall hygiene. Only special chemicals (We recommend OXYGEN water treatments) and the water filter can keep the water clean and hygienic for longer period of time. Otherwise water has to be changed more often. Be careful when using swimming pool chemicals in these small tubs. The dosages might be too high and can lead to the corrosion of materials.

SANITISING YOUR HOT TUB?

If the hot tub is used frequently then it is advisable to sanitise your hot tub. It is best to use a non-chlorine shock treatment for domestic use. A shock oxidiser used once a week helps prevent bacteria and cloudy water. It oxidizes the water and helps to get rid of organic matter like dead skin cells, perspiration, urine and cosmetics. Treating with Oxygen is better for the tub than Chlorine or Bromine.

If like many of our customers you will be using your hot tub for commercial purposes, it will be necessary to use a chlorine water treatment as part of the regular maintenance and good practice to ensure a safe and pleasurable bathing experience. The log burner made from grade 316 stainless steel is required, if chemicals are used. Standard log burner made from grade 430 stainless steel is not suitable for chemicals and salt water.

IS WATER pH IMPORTANT FOR MY TUB?

The recommended pH for your hot tub is between 7.2 and 7.8. It is advisable to test your water with some test strips as you can add additives to increase or decrease the value. The pH range is from 0 (very acidic) 7 is neutral and up to 14 (very alkali.) If your water is too acidic, it will corrode your tub and irritate your skin, if it is too alkali it will cause stains and deposits on the wooden tub, cloudy water and be drying to your skin. The pH needs to be within range for the effective use of other chemicals and safe bathing.

HOW DO I EMPTY A HOT TUB?

Bear in mind the waste water discharge when planning the location for hot tub. Hot tub holds up to 1500 litres of water which has to be drained out after use.

The water drainage plug is mounted into the floor of hot tub, and can be connected to 40 mm pipe to guide the waste water. Do not leave the water drainage plug closed when hot tub is not in use to avoid collection of rain water, which can freeze in subzero temperatures.

The water can only be drained after fire and embers in the heater have burnt out completely.

WHAT IS THE MINIMUM OF WATER IN THE TUB BEFORE STARTING A FIRE?

Do not start the fire until the tub is not full of water. The heaters must never be lit when the tub is empty or not full. Heating a half-empty tub can lead to damaging the heater or fiberglass shell. The Warranty does not cover damage caused by use of heater without proper level of water in the tub.

WHO SHOULD AVOID USING HOT TUB?

You should not use our products alone.

If you suffer from diabetes, heart disease or another condition that affects your blood pressure you should check with your doctor before using hot tub.

If you feel sleepy or uncomfortable, you should exit the hot tub immediately and cool down in the fresh air.

It is recommended to drink plenty of water before and after hot tub.

User Manual:

Safety Notes

The stove is HOT during operations; even more so is the flue; as such WHEN THE STOVE IS ON, DO NOT EVER TOUCH IT.

This is a wood burning stove and therefore you must never use anything other than wood. Coal or charcoal used in the stove is likely to damage the system (due to much higher burning temperature) and ruin future enjoyment of the wooden hot tub.

Due to increased heat present in a hot tub, you should NOT use the hot tub if you are under the influence of Alcohol. This also applies to any other conditions wherein bathing would be an issue; if you’re unsure you should speak with your doctor about this.

The lids for the hot tub should remain on whenever the tub is not in use; as well you can and should remove the steps to keep children from accessing it.

The water level in the tub should always be above the HOT water outlet while the stove is in use (or above around 2/3rds of the internal heater).

During powerful wind storms you should remove the lid and the chimney so that it cannot be blown off. Alternatively, the lid could be secured with the ratchet strap if needed.

If you live in a region that experiences extreme cold, it is likely that your tub water will freeze. During these times you should drain both the tub and the external stove completely as expanding ice will surely damage the craftsmanship as well as the heater itself.

Children should never be left in control of the stove while in use, and should also

NEVER be left unattended either while bathing.

For your own safety you shouldn’t bath alone.

You can always add cold water to the hot tub if you find the temperature to be too hot for you.

Hot Tubs are not the same as a normal baths. Water does not cool as rapidly as it otherwise would due to the firewood burning. For this reason IF YOU FIND IT TOO HOT, GET OUT. It is also important to only use your hot tub for shorter periods initially. Otherwise you are in danger of becoming dizzy and perhaps even fainting.

Where to place your Hot Tub

NEVER PLACE YOUR WOOD BURNING HOT TUB NEAR FLAMMABLE OBJECTS

A hot tub is usually around 200kgs, and significantly heavier when filled your first consideration is going to be on the ground you set up on. Preferable to ground, having a concrete pad already constructed and measure would be ideal. It should also be noted that due to this heavy weight you shouldn’t under any circumstance attempt to move the hot tub by yourself. In most cases a level stable base either the gravel or paving slabs is fine but please note the tub will weigh around 2 tonnes once full of water and people.

Aside from the ground itself or pad, you will want to assure your site has easy access to water to make filling the hot tub less of a chore. You will also want to avoid areas that create a downdraft; to near buildings, or trees, which will cause some interference with the chimney. You can always check with a stoves specialist in your area that may be better able to help you with this.

For ease of emptying the tub, try and allow room for the water to drain. Flower beds for watering, or a nearby hill make good things to take advantage of in this instance (assuming the water is not chemically treated).

Installation

The majority of the time the new tub will arrive completely intact and require no additional construction. That said you still need to be able to get to your chosen site.

The tub could be lifted by a group of four to five people and carried into position, otherwise a crane or telehandler service may be more applicable depending on your land and where you want to put it.

It is very important that the external stove and the tub are always level to one another; as they were fitted together during construction this needs to be maintained. It is vitally important that the upper or HOT hose continues slightly upwards from the stove and into the tub otherwise the system will not function as it should.

Your stove chimney should fit together simply and only needs to be pressed into place at the collar of the stove.

Once you’ve placed your hot tub where you want it; you can begin to fit your external heater hoses into place; securing them with appropriate jubilee clips provided. The hoses would ideally need to be straight for a better water circulation. Elbow shape connections are also available to buy but do not try to bend the actual hose as this will obstruct the water circulation.

Operations

To begin, simply fill the hot tub with cold water with a garden hose. You can also collect rainwater if you so desire.

A full hot tub contains around 1300-1500 litres of water (depends of the model). Once you’ve filled the tub, and ONLY after filled you can begin to kindle a fire in the stove; always remove and old ash from previous use. If you need firelighters they will not harm the stove.

There is a water-jacket in the firebox of the external stove so always use dry wood and keep a strong fire burning. The heating of the water can only be managed by a strong burning fire, so if a weak fire or worse yet wet materials are used you will end up with more smoke, soot and condensation in the stove, which in turn can be damaging.

Maintain heat by feedings the fire as necessary during bathing, make sure to rake embers as necessary and even them out prior to adding more wood. This cares for the ease of burning and ensures a strong fire.

Occasionally you will want to stir the water in the tub. It’s the only way to get an accurate temperature reading, since hot water rises and cold water sinks; you want to make sure you mix your tub water well for the most enjoyment out of your tub.

Check your pipes regularly to ensure there are no restrictions or clogs of any sorts. You can do this by simply placing a hand near and inlet or simple visually check for any sort of heat induced haze in the water that would indicate circulation.

While most tubs utilise some form of stainless steel flue, it is bound to become discoloured through use, somewhat bronzing or becoming gold. This is a nature effect and is not something that can be changed.

When initially heating your water, it can take over 3 hours to heat up the tub from cold; depending on what your outside temperature is. Also factoring into that time are your fire and wood qualities. You need to be diligent in your fire to ensure a proper heating of your hot tub.

NOTE: If you continue to burn in the stove; you are going to continue to heat up your water. While this seems straightforward it does carry a risk at severely burning occupants, as well as damaging the equipment. Always check your thermometer to assess whether the tub is getting too hot for your liking, and stop adding wood to the stove once it has. Your external heater will also have an air circulation control on the door which would then need to be shut.

ALWAYS allow the fire to completely go out before you drain the tub.

NEVER DRAIN YOUR TUB WHILE STILL IN USE! – If you have fired up the stove during this time; the lack of water can seriously and irreparably damage your heater as well as the tub; there is also a risk the wooden tub could catch fire.

Maintenance

Wood fired Hot Tubs don’t require as much maintenance as a modern whirlpool one. Clearing ash from the stove before each use is necessary; as well you should periodically disconnect the chimney (It is modular) and clean any built up soot. Soot should also be removed from the stove if it builds up. If this isn’t something you’re comfortable with you can always contact a stove specialist if necessary.

Ideally you should change the water in your hot tub after every use; however you can use it several times across a couple of days, this is more to personal taste. If you’re going to leave the tub for a time, you should drain, rinse and refill the tub prior. You should always have the tub full; unless you have freezing weather in your region; this can seriously damage the hot tub and the external heater so they both should be drained. Your external heater also has a separate drain plug at the back.

The tub’s exterior is already treated properly with oils meant to protect it from UV damage; waterproofing and it will resist fading. We recommend to apply some wood treatment at least once a year. However over the life of your tub it will begin to silver; you can continue to maintain it with oils to keep up the appearance, but you should not use a pressure washer from too close as it can damage the wood. If you don’t re oil the wood, it will simply age naturally. Tub can also be painted or varnished to your pleasure as well.

GENERAL INFORMATION ON HOW TO USE HOT TUBS

BASE & HOT TUB PREPARATION

The hot tub needs to be placed on a flat, levelled surface (eg.: a wooden decking or concrete slab). If the hot tub will not be positioned properly on the surface, tub’s strength, stability, or even aesthetic appearance can be affected.

Before starting to use the hot tub, it should be washed/ rinsed thoroughly. The polypropylene (plastic) or fiberglass tubs can be cleaned using the same chemicals as for the cleaning pools. Once the tub is clean, it can be filled up with water (tap water). Please make sure the water level is around 10cm from the top before firing it up.

IMPORTANT - If your hot tub has electrical components (SPA systems, LED lighting, filters, electrical heating) we recommend to connect the hot tubs electrical system directly from your fuse box to the circuit breaker (which is on the tub) so no electrical outlets would be required.

IMPORTANT – To avoid electrical equipment problems and to secure safety you must make sure the electrics is earthed.

VERY IMPORTANT – If the hot tub has electrical heating (single phase), the mains cable needs to be min 2,5m2.

HOT TUB HEATING

IMPORTANT – the fiberglass hot tub temperature can’t go higher than +55C° as higher temperatures can damage the fiberglass gel coating (will start blistering). Once the hot tub is fired up, you need to make sure of regular stirring of the water so the hot water doesn’t concentrate around the heater’s outlet.

HOT TUB WITH EXTERNAL LOG BURNER

External heater, as well as an outdoor hot tub must be placed on a flat, firm ground. It is important that the front of the heater is slightly below. Additional pump or filtration system to assist with heater’s circulation is not allowed.

When the hot tub is filled up with water (10cm from the top of the hot tub edge), then you can fire up the log burner. The best way to fire up the hot tub is start with kindling and paper (fire lighters (tablets) can be used). When the flame is getting bigger you can add bigger pieces of wood. It is recommended to use dry wood. Fire intensity can be adjusted with the air intake openings on the door.

IMPORTANT – keep in mind until the hot tub has the appropriate amount of water, you can`t light the heater, because the emitted heat will damage the tub.

IMPORTANT – water from the hot tub can be drained only when the heater is completely cooled down. Otherwise, the remaining heat will damage the hot tub and the heater itself.

HOT TUB WITH INTEGRATED LOG BURNER

When the hot tub is filled up with water (10-15cm from the top of the hot tub edge), then you can fire up the log burner. The best way to fire up the hot tub is start with kindling and paper (fire lighters can be used). When the flame is getting bigger you can add bigger pieces of wood. It is recommended to use dry wood. Fire intensity can be adjusted with the air intake openings on the door.

IMPORTANT – fill up the tub 10-15cm from the top before lighting the fire.

IMPORTANT – drained the water when the heater is cooled down. Otherwise, the remaining heat will damage the hot tub and the heater itself.

WATER, AIR OR COMBINATED MASSAGE SYSTEM

Combined massage system has 2 switches in the tub panel (Single systems have 1 switch). One of them turns on / off the air compressor, the other switches on / off water compressor. You can enable or air massage or water massage, or both devices together. After releasing the water from the hot tub, keep the air massage/hydro massage active for 30 seconds to remove water from the system.

IMPORTANT – in the cold season, you can turn on the air system only when the water temperature is above 30C°.

WATER FILTERS

CARTRIDGE FILTER:

Cartridge filter is being built next to the tub and connected by two hose through, which filter water in the tub. Do not turn filter on, while somebody is in the hot tub.

IMPORTANT – in the cold season, when the air temperature is below 0 degrees, it is necessary to close the filter openings inside the tub, so the water can`t reach and freeze the filter connection hoses. When heated tub warms up to +30 degrees, open the filter openings. If the tub is kept at a constant temperature, the filter can be used in sub-zero temperature.

SANDFILTER:

Sand water filter is being built next to the tub and connected by two hose through, which filter water in the tub. Do not turn filter on, while somebody is in the hot tub.

IMPORTANT – in the cold season, when the air temperature is below 0 degrees, it is necessary to close the filter openings inside the tub, so the water can`t reach and freeze the filter connection hoses. When heated tub warms up to +30 degrees, open the filter openings. If the tub is kept at a constant temperature, the filter can be used in sub-zero temperature.

SKIMMER:

Skimmer – immersed in water filter.

The skimmer can be turned on during bathing in the hot tub because it brings 12V electric current.

PROHIBITED! Keep water in the tub, if the outside air temperature is below zero temperature and the hot tub is not supported with fired wood heater or electric heater to keep warm optimal water temperature.

2 years warranty

Warranty: We do not offer or imply any warranty on any wooden products/parts/components due to the nature of the product unless specifically stated in the product description as shown on this web site or invoice.

DO NOT USE COAL OR ANY OTHER WOOD ALTERNATIVES AS A FUEL, AS THIS MAY DAMAGE THE HEATER DUE TO HIGHER BURNING TEMPERATURES.

“RG Doors Ltd” guarantees that the goods supplied will be free from defects on arrival. If you notice any damage, please report to us within 2 days. “RG Doors Ltd” will replace the faulty parts within 30 working days (Parts warranty only). The following situations are specifically excluded from this guarantee:

The Warranty does not cover damage caused by misuse. Please read the User manual and Warranty properly and follow

The Warranty does not cover damage caused by water freezing.

The Warranty does not cover damage caused by use of heater without proper level of water in the tub.

The Warranty does not cover corrosion or damage due to use of seawater or aggressive chemicals

In the Event of any part being replaced under a warranty, it is your responsibility to fit that part.

Timber Products:

You accept that wood is a natural material. It differs from man-made materials each piece of timber will have grains and knots which will vary. Being a natural product wood will react to changes in atmospheric conditions. Some splitting of the timber may occur as it expands and contracts with changes of humidity and temperature. This are perfectly natural and does not affect the integrity of the timber or of the structure it is used in and therefore splitting, cracks & knots etc. are not covered by any warranty.

We can not be responsible for any lack of air ventilation/weather conditions which can cause a mould to grow, etc.

We also can not be responsible for the lack of draw/fire in the burning chamber due to the location of the tub.